2. Table of content
2
Commercially Available ETAs
smart cane
Device Evolution and Next Steps
Project Initiation & Specification
R & D and Development of Field Deployable
Product
Product Testing & Field Trials
3. Restricted range and inability to detect knee-above obstacles
Limitations of the White Cane
causes unexpected collisions and upper-body injuries.
4. Study of Commercially Available ETAs
• Procurement and study of commercially available
ETAs.
• User testing with 5 users each, one week usage.
• Evaluation of key technical parameters.
TeletectThe Mini guide mobility aid
5. Lessons Learnt from Study of ETAs
• User prefer ETAs where only one hand is used.
• ETAs were not flexible in gripping styles or force
users to adopt to new gripping styles may not work.
• ETAs which provide feedback as auditory output via
earphone conceal some valuable auditory clues from
the environment which is necessary and important
for mobility, path planning and safety.
• User prefer devices which are small in size and weight
but do not prefer rigorous scanning to detect obstacles.
5
6. Smart Cane
Smart Cane is an obstacle
detection and warning
system
Can be easily mounted and
detached from white cane.
Detects obstacles with the
use of ultrasonic waves.
Presence of obstacles is
conveyed by easily
perceptible and intuitive
vibratory patterns. 6
11. Device Evolution and Next Steps
11
Three Milestones
1. Project Initiation & Specification
2. R & D and Development of Field
Deployable Product
3. Product Testing & Field Trials
12. Milestone 1: Key Activities
Team Formation &
Logistics Setup
Product
Specifications
Requirements Manufacturability
User Workshop for
Validation
Study of Other ETAs User Feedback Preliminary R & D
13. Milestone 1: Key Activities
Team Formation &
Logistics Setup
Study of Other ETAs User Feedback Preliminary R & D
Procurement of
CommerciallyAvailable
ETAs in market
Review of Published
Studies on ETAs & Mobility
Study of Commercially
Available White Canes
13
14. Milestone 1: Key Activities
Team Formation & Logistics
Setup
Study of Other
ETAs
User Feedback Preliminary R & D
Review of Disability, Mobility and
Human Factors Literature
Questionnaire & Obstacle
Course Design
14
15. Milestone 1: Key Activities
Team Formation & Logistics
Setup
Study of Other ETAs User Feedback Preliminary R&D
Electronics Design
Mechanical Design
Prototyping
Self Learning &
Training Manuals
15
16. 2.Product R&D (Electronics)
• Sourcing & testing smaller and water proof
ultrasonic sensors.
• Exploring trans-receiver based sensors.
• Miniaturized combined electronics circuit.
• Multilayer PCB design
16
20. Product R&D (Mechanical Design)
Design Version 0.9
• Non protruding angle adjustment mechanism
• Reduced size, thinner grip & better weight balancing
• Braille markings according to standards
• Single combined ultrasonic and control circuit
20
21. Version 1.0
Field trial prototype
Version 1.1
Elongated prototype
Version 1.2
Combined circuit prototype
Version 1.3
Version 2.0
Final design
Sleek design 31
22. Design Approach to Grip Design
33
Identify pain areas
in all types of grips
Identify common pain
areas in all grips
Explore other palm
areas to reduce stress
31. feedback trials of Smart Cane
Gender distribution of user group per site
31
Age distribution of user group per site
Source:- http://assistech.iitd.ernet.in/smartcane.php
32. Key Findings from Feedback Trials
There is an acceptance for overall concept of the
device.
Some features such as intuitive tactile patterns for
distance of obstacles and battery level indicators were
appreciated by all.
During the study, users suggested various
modifications such as reduced weight, reduced size of
the device.
32
34. Salient Features of Current Version
• Reduced size
• Reduced weight
• Improved weight balancing
• Ergonomic grip
• Braille markings according to standards
• Easily accessible controls
• combined ultrasonic and control circuit with
reduced size
3
38. Collisionrate
Overall Collison rate with obstacles using white cane and Smartcane
100.0
Overall collision rate with
obstacles using whitecane
Overall collision rate with
obstacles usingsmartcane
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7 U8 U9 U10U11U12U13U14U15U16U17U18U19U20U21U22U23U24U25U26U27U28U29U30
Users
Collision Study using Obstacle Course
Source: http://assistech.iitd.ernet.in/smartcane.php
The Miniguide uses ultrasonic echo-location to detect objects. The aid vibrates to indicate the distance to objects - the faster the vibration rate the nearer the object. There is also an earphone socket which can be used to provide sound feedback.
The Miniguide is only intended as an accessory to the more traditional aids such as the white cane and guide dog. The Miniguide is not a replacement for these primary aids, it should only be used as a secondary aid.
The Miniguide can not detect drop offs. So please rely on your primary aid in areas where drop offs might be present, for example, railway stations, near stairs and so on.